Rail Museum Mysore
There have been many 'coming of age' stories across the globe in the
eras gone by. But most of them have been confined to individual case
studies. However, there have been many organizations as well who have
come of age and have transformed themselves into a force to reckon with
and have become a landmark for their respective countries. One such
landmark in India has been the Indian Railways.
Indian Railways
For over 170 years of its existence, the Indian Railways has been through a lot. From a small 22 kilometer network connecting a suburb of Thane to the main city of Mumbai, the railway has transformed itself into a network which is 63000 kilometer long and covering almost the entire length and breadth of the country.Not only in terms of length, but it has grown in terms of infrastructural development as well as in the technical field. From the huge steam engine that used to chug along with its typical whistle, we now have the super locos along with trains like the Rajdhani, Shatabdi and the Duronto express, which scream past us without wasting a single moment to bother about our existence! But the older trains have now become a part of our history which has been preserved very well in the railway museum in the city of Mysore.
Establishment of Rail Museum Mysore
The Rail Museum of Mysore is the second such open air exhibition of outdoor locomotives after the one in New Delhi. The museum in Mysore was established by the Indian Railways in the year 1979. The museum is located on the Krishnarajasagar Road opposite the campus of the Central Food Technology and Research Institute (CFTRI). It consists of pictures and paintings related to the growth of the Indian Railways over the years in the form of their locomotives, coaches as well as the Railway signals. The museum also has a moving mini – train operated on a battery which provides a ride for children around the ground.Locomotives in the Museum
There are various kinds of locomotives that are present on the museum. Prominent among them is the first locomotive at the entrance ES 506, 4-6-2, which is an old time steam engine along with two royal coaches which belonged to the Maharaja of Mysore. A Maharani saloon Carriage, which had a Kitchen, dining car and a royal toilet, which is as old as 1899 is also a part of the museum.
Another unique feature of the museum is the Austin Railway Car, built in the year 1925. It was meant for running on roads. It was later sold to a scrap dealer. It was then brought by an employee from the railways, which later restored it. He made major changes to the vehicle by removing the steering and adding rail wheels to it. It was then converted into a railcar, which was then used for inspection on the tracks. The locomotive could carry six people and it is still in working condition!
The museum also plays host to two narrow gauge and meter gauge steam engines which are named YP – 2511 and Wagnell 119 – ER. The Wagnell engine used wood instead of coal as a fuel. It was used between Bangalore and Tumkur. Various other engines that were used during the era gone by are also a part of the museum.
Address of the Museum:
Rail Museum Mysore
KRS Road, Mysore, Karnataka
Phone: 0821 286 6955
Open Days:
Tuesday to Sunday
Monday Closed
Timings:
10am to 1pm
3pm to 5pm
This one is surely a must visit for the kids as they would enjoy looking at the old steam engines as well as enjoy the ride on the mini – train!